Written Answers Monday 19 October 2009

Scottish Executive

International Relations

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what cultural, trade or other links it has had with Cuba since 1999.

Michael Russell: Contacts between the governments of Scotland and Cuba have, to date, been limited, but the Scottish Government is aware of the work of the Cross Party Group on Cuba to promote links between the respective Parliaments. As the then Minister for the Environment, I hosted a dinner for a delegation of parliamentarians from Cuba on 14 November 2007, and I remain open to supporting efforts to promote understanding between our peoples.